CAREERS IN CONSERVATION – Jo Bert

Jo Bert has joined the EWT’s Communications and Marketing Department as Graphic Designer. Here is a little bit about Jo’s journey to a career in conservation with the EWT.

Job title: Graphic Designer

What do you do in your day-day work? Assist with any graphic needs for the EWT as well as each of the programmes.

Location: Sandton

Where did you grow up? JHB born and bred.

What are your hobbies/things you like to do in your spare time?

I have so many hobbies I lose track. At the moment, I’m pretty into rock climbing (indoor and outdoor). I have also been self-studying ethnobotany for the last couple of years, so I love growing plants as well as seeing what I can make with them (so far, I’ve tried fabric dyes, cordages, bath bombs, teas…). I also love to read (currently rereading the Lord Of The Rings). I could go on forever, so I’ll stop there (:

Any pets? My horse Cerberus, my cat Strawberry, and a stray ginger cat that is trying to convince Strawberry to let me adopt him. I’ve named him Onion.

Favourite animal and why: Uloborus plumipes – As a lover of teeny tiny things, this spider is my best! Maximum 8 mm, looks like a tiny leaf, non-venomous, so easy to find, just super cute overall.

Favourite food? Spicy veg soup with some good toast.

Pet peeve? Small minded people

Why did you want to work for the EWT?

I want to be a part of something bigger than myself, and working at the EWT is a step towards that. We owe everything to this planet we live on, so it makes sense to give back in any way possible.

What excites you about this new position?

The idea that I can use my skills to make a difference in this world is what gets me up in the morning.

What are you passionate about?

This is a hard question; I am passionate about so much. The first things that come to mind are:

•  Equality
• Conservation
• Going back to roots

What’s the best advice you’ve ever received, and who did it come from?

A hard question because advice is situation-specific and often says more about the giver than the receiver. In the words of J.R.R. Tolkien: “Elves seldom give unguarded advice, for advice is a dangerous gift, even from the wise to the wise, and all courses may run ill.”

Though a good friend of mine once said, “You can’t reason with the heart” (Khanya Peacock), and I think about that all the time.

What is your go-to feel-good song? Toaster – Cat Clyde

CAREERS IN CONSERVATION – Darren Pietersen

Darren Pietersen has joined the EWT’s Soutpansberg Protected Area Programme (SPA) as Reserve and Ecology Manager at Medike Nature Reserve. Here is a little bit about Darren’s journey to a career in conservation with the EWT.

Job title: Reserve and Ecology Manager

Location: Medike Nature Reserve, Soutpansberg

Where did you grow up?

Kruger National Park

What are your hobbies/things you like to do in your spare time? 

What spare time? Most weekends are spent reviewing articles for journals or reading some of the myriad scientific publications I have downloaded and don’t get time to read. But sometimes, I get out and do some birding or looking for reptiles and amphibians. And once every couple of years, I get a chance to go scuba-diving again.

Any pets?

Two rescue dogs. And my grandmother.

Favourite animal and why: Temminck’s pangolin – because they are solitary, predominantly nocturnal and rarely seen. Much like me.

Favourite food?

Boerewors and slap chips

Pet peeve?

That common sense isn’t nearly as common as it ought to be.

Why did you want to work for the EWT?

Because the EWT is one of the oldest, best-established conservation organisations in Africa, with an outstanding track record and reputation. I have collaborated with or worked with several EWT staff in various capacities and have gotten to know many of them. Working for the EWT in a practical conservation role is a wonderful privilege I am looking forward to.

What excites you about this new position?

I am looking forward to the fieldwork, the challenges, and the location. I enjoy research, but I also enjoy working physically, and above all, I enjoy being outdoors. This position promises to check all the boxes – a lot of work needs to be done on the reserve, and I look forward to tackling the various projects. At the same time, there is scope for research, and even if time doesn’t allow me to undertake the research myself, it will be nice to once again guide a student through their early scientific career. And the Soutpansberg is beautiful!

What are you passionate about? 

Conservation, particularly of the more obscure/overlooked species.

What’s the best advice you’ve ever received, and who did it come from?

Some of the best advice I received was to always be honest, which I received from my parents. Of course, I grew up in an era when parents could still use methods to drive that point home!

What is your go-to feel-good song? 

Bon Jovi’s It’s My Life.

CAREERS IN CONSERVATION –Kish Chetty

Kish Chetty has joined the EWT as a Senior Manager for Sustainable Financing. Here is a little bit about Kish’s journey to a career in conservation.

Job title: Senior Manager Sustainable Financing

Location: Potchefstroom

Where did you grow up? Johannesburg

What are your hobbies/things you like to do in your spare time? I do a lot of golf, boxing, field hockey, and hiking. I do the occasional triathlon (I am not a fan of swimming), but I love running and cycling. Though the next tri race for me is May 2024, as I rebuild some strength post-injury (a.k.a. I need to lose some weight). I really enjoy cooking and baking, and have been practising doing both on the open fire – so basically, I love to braai, and I love eating (which can conflict with my triathlon training).

Any pets? At the time of writing this, I am in the process of trying to adopt two Jack Russell Terriers from the local shelter. Check back with me to see if this has worked out.

Favourite animal and why: The Wild Dog is my favourite animal. I studied them since I was very young. I love the pack’s social dynamics and close bonds between members, and watching them hunt and kill has been some of the best bush experiences of my life.

Favourite food? I am reflecting on two meals for obvious ‘strategic’ reasons. A mushroom risotto (cooked by my wife) and a Durban-style lamb curry (cooked by my mom).

Pet peeve? People who forget how to drive at a big cat sighting in a game reserve or national park.

Why did you want to work for the EWT? The Endangered Wildlife Trust is the leading conservation NGO in South Africa and is growing its pawprint on the African continent. I want to be genuinely involved at the forefront in protecting and enhancing biodiversity, so the opportunity of working within the EWT was a no-brainer. Coupled with that, I have the incredible prospect of working with and learning from a leadership team that has loads of experience in this sector, which will certainly grow me as an individual.

What excites you about this new position? I am excited about working across every Programme and with Support Services and bringing my unique skill set and business case perspective to support and enhance the work that is already done. I am also excited about working with the EWT staff, as the people within EWT work incredibly hard and are driven by their passion, whether they are on the ground or in the office. I want to feed off the passion and support my colleagues as much as I can.

What are you passionate about? I am passionate about big-picture conservation thinking, the business case for biodiversity, and collaboration for greater conservation success. I am also very passionate about mentoring.

What’s the best advice you’ve ever received, and who did it come from? The best advice I received was from my dad. It is to ‘always keep moving forward’ – no matter the challenge ahead or the struggles I currently face, I try to find a way to always keep moving forward.

CAREERS IN CONSERVATION – Mark van Niekerk

Mark van Niekerk has joined the EWT’s African Crane Conservation Programme (ACCP). Here is a little bit about Mark’s journey to a career in conservation.

Job title: Senior Project Manager, ACCP

Location: Currently, Lyon, France. Move to Africa anticipated later this year.

Where did you grow up? [MVN] Port Elizabeth. Moved to Cape Town for undergrad and never returned to Port Elizabeth, moving extensively across Southern Africa, which included working in Zambia & Botswana.

What are your hobbies/things you like to do in your spare time? [MVN] Running (Marathons & Trail); Mountain Biking; Hiking; Camping; Fly-Fishing.

Any pets? Until recently, a cat and two chickens. We think the chickens were killed by a weasel, and the cat died earlier this year due to kidney failure.

Favourite animal and why:  Hyaena. They are often seen as the ‘underdog’ and despised by most people. Yet they are full of intrigue and very socially interesting. Hunting more than most people are aware of, besides scavenging. Though in saying this, I don’t particularly have a ‘favourite’ animal. Each has its own idiosyncrasies.

Favourite food? Braaied Fish or ‘ confit de canard’

Pet peeve? People who commit and don’t stick to what they’ve committed to doing, and those that speak/ act as authorities on subjects they know little about.

Why did you want to work for the EWT? I believe in what the EWT is doing, ‘boots on the ground’ conservation. I’ve been full circle in having begun my career in conservation, worked in industry as both Environmental control officer and renewable energy developer and have a better understanding of how business thinks. I want to play more of a part in reshaping a sustainable long-term conservation agenda.

What excites you about this new position? The diversity of working across Africa and providing input into several diverse projects with many ‘touch points’ across the range.

What are you passionate about? Making a lasting conservation impact.

What’s the best advice you’ve ever received, and who did it come from? Just start!  Jump, and the net will appear when the time is right. A mentor as well as a previous MSc supervisor.